Man convicted in retaliation shooting that struck 10-year-old

Nicole Fuller, The Baltimore Sun

A Baltimore jury convicted a man of attempted first degree murder and eight other charges for a retaliation shooting that missed the intended target but struck a 10-year-old boy, prosecutors said Friday.

The state's attorney's office announced that Dafon Canty, who was 18 at the time of the August 2010 shooting, approached Terrell Singleton, who he had argued with previously. Canty opened fire on Singleton as he sat on the front steps of a home in the 1100 block of North Lakewood Avenue, according to the announcement.

Singleton ran into the house's screened porch in an attempt to flee. He pushed the boy to the ground to protect him, but the boy was shot in the left arm. Singleton was unharmed.

The jury convicted Canty of attempted first-degree murder, assault and seven handgun violations — including the crime of being a minor in possession of a firearm. People under 21 are prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm.

Canty faces a maximum of life plus 86 years in prison. He will be sentenced in March.